Prof. Stephen Cunnane Awarded Chevreul Medal

International recognition for work which opens the door to a dietary treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

The Chevreul Medal (Médaille Chevreul) is named after French chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul known for his work on fatty acids and the purification of cholesterol. Every year, the Société française pour l’étude des lipides (SFEL) awards the medal to two recipients, one French, the other foreign, to highlight their exceptional contribution to research in dietary lipids. It is among the highest distinctions in the field. Over the past 50 years, the medal has been awarded only three times to Canadians, the first recipient living in Quebec being Prof. Cunnane.

Ketones to the rescue

Along with his team, Prof. Cunnane has established that deteriorating brain metabolism is specifically associated with its inability to supply itself sufficiently with glucose, and that this problem arises very early in Alzheimer's disease. He explored the ability of ketones, molecules manufactured by the liver acting as "brain fuel" and which are also found in coconut oil, to compensate dietary uptake in the brain.

His current research may very soon lead to a dietary treatment based on ketones capable of slowing the progress of Alzheimer's disease. The results are looking promising.For further information, please consult the press release in French.